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Ingredients
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Rice Base
Sweetened Coconut Milk
Finishing & Garnish
Method
Rice Base
- 1
Rinse and Soak
Rinse 1 cup black rice under cold running water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Drain. For a creamier texture, cover the rinsed rice with water and soak 30 minutes to 2 hours; drain again before cooking. If short on time, you can skip soaking.
- 2
Cook the rice
Combine the rinsed (and drained) black rice, 2 cups water and 1 tsp fine sea salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer gently for 30–40 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the water is absorbed. Stir every 8–10 minutes early in cooking to prevent sticking. If the rice seems dry before tender, add up to 1/4 cup additional water and continue cooking.
- 3
Sweetened Coconut Milk
- 4
Prepare coconut mixture
While the rice is cooking (or after), whisk together 1.5 cups full-fat coconut milk, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract in a bowl or measuring cup until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is uniform.
- 5
Combine and simmer
Return the cooked rice to low heat. Pour the sweetened coconut milk over the warm rice and stir to combine. Cook over low heat, uncovered or partially covered, stirring frequently, for 8–12 minutes until the mixture is thickened and creamy and the rice has absorbed some of the coconut milk. Taste and adjust sweetness: if you prefer sweeter pudding, add another 1–2 teaspoons sugar or a drizzle of honey and stir until dissolved.
Finishing & Garnish
- 6
Enrich with coconut cream
Stir in 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut cream (or the thick top from a can of coconut milk) to enrich and slightly loosen the texture. Heat through for 1–2 minutes but do not boil. The pudding should be saucy but thick enough to mound on a spoon.
- 7
Serve warm
Divide the warm black rice pudding among 4 shallow bowls. If desired, drizzle a little extra coconut cream or honey over each serving.
- 8
Garnish
Finish each bowl with 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds or toasted coconut flakes, a light sprinkle (about 1 tsp) coarse sugar or a small drizzle of honey if you like extra sweetness, and a pinch (about 1/2 tsp) of lime or orange zest for brightness. Serve immediately while warm.